Coach Prime isn’t the only show in Colorado this weekend. World Wrestling Entertainment makes its return to Denver on Friday when “SmackDown” broadcasts live from Ball Arena. Here’s what you need to know:
Information
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Venue: Ball Arena
- TV: Fox
The announced card
John Cena is special guest on “The Grayson Waller Effect”
Cena, the longtime wrestler-turned-actor, recently returned to the WWE for a stint that includes appearances on episodes of “SmackDown” through the end of October. He and Waller had a confrontation at “Money in the Bank” in July.
LA Knight vs. The Miz
Knight, who has arguably been receiving the biggest responses from crowds of late, and The Miz have been embroiled in a feud over the past month. This is a rematch of their match at Payback when Knight won with Cena as the special referee.
The titles
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns
Reigns, who leads The Bloodline — a faction consisting of his real-life family, has been the longest-running champion in modern WWE history. He has held the universal title for more than 1,100 days
SmackDown WWE women’s champion: Iyo Sky
The high-flying Japanese wrestler and member of Damage CTRL has held the title since beating Bianca Belair at SummerSlam in August.
United States champion: Rey Mysterio
The legendary luchador began his third reign with the title after defeating Austin Theory in August.
Who could show up
On the heels on TKO — the new parent company of the WWE and UFC — making its stock market debut this week, SmackDown will be the first of WWE’s major shows to air live on television (sorry, NXT). And with the Rocky Mountain Showdown bringing a smorgasbord of celebrities into town (and airing live on Fox, like “SmackDown”), here’s a look at who’s on our wish list to make a splash at the show:
- Pat McAfee — The sports personality and an analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay will be in town for the game. Aside from dabbling in the squared circle, he was also the color commentator on “SmackDown” from 2021-22, but has been taking a hiatus with his duties on GameDay.
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — The most electrifying man in sports entertainment officially retired from pro wrestling in 2019, and made his last appearance on WWE television on the 20th anniversary of “SmackDown” that same year. McAfee announced that Johnson will join his live show Friday morning at CU. Denver’s not too far away.
- Rob Gronkowski — The former Patriots tight end is a one-time WWE 24/7 champion and was host of WrestleMania 36.
- Urban Meyer — OK, so he never appeared on WWE TV, but in 2021 during his short stint as Jaguars coach, he helped Chris Jericho pummel MJF during All Elite Wrestling’s “Double or Nothing” pay-per-view.
